2019 European elections: How many new MEPs might you get?

Image caption
The word “Brexit” was tweeted more than 16,000 times in the most recent posts by the UK’s MEPs

Four out of 10 current UK MEPs are not contesting the European Parliament elections. That means at least 30 of those elected from 23-26 May might either never take their seats or serve only a few months if the UK leaves the European Union by the end of October. However, voters are being urged not to see the elections as a “joke”, as Brexit dominates the agenda.

Who can I vote for?

There are 72 UK MEPs currently serving, with one seat vacant. Of those, 43 are seeking re-election and there are 548 other new candidates.

In London 88 candidates representing 11 parties, including independents as one group, are vying for eight seats. That compares with 10 parties for three seats in Northern Ireland.

There are 23 parties in total, including independents as one group, but only 10 of them are standing in more than one region.

The Yorkshire Party is standing in Yorkshire only, the Animal Welfare Party and Women’s Equality Party have only put up candidates in London and the Independent Network is only standing in the East Midlands. The Socialist Party of Great Britain has candidates in the South East only.

Three parties are standing in all 12 nations and regions – the Conservatives, Greens and UKIP.

Labour, the Liberal Democrats, Change UK and The Brexit Party are standing in all regions apart from Northern Ireland.

How many parties do I have to choose from?

Number of parties standing vs number of seats for each region

Who can’t I vote for?

Half of the existing MEPs in the North West, West Midlands and South West are not standing again. Two Scottish MEPs are not standing for re-election and another, Catherine Stihler, resigned her seat in January to take up a new role.

How many of your MEPs are standing down?

Mary Honeyball, from the Labour Party, and Julie Girling, formerly a Conservative but now an independent, are two of the 30 MEPs who will not be standing for re-election.

Despite the possibility of a very short term for newly-elected MEPs – or even no term at all – they still think the election is important for the UK.

Image copyrightJulie Girling

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Julie Girling has stepped aside after 10 years as an MEP

Ms Girling, an MEP in the South West, said people should not see the vote as a “joke” because Brexit was not “a done deal”.

She also said new or returning MEPs may find the job more difficult than in previous terms, as British politicians might be passed over for “important committee positions” if they are not expected to be in their seats for long.

Image copyrightMary Honeyball

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Mary Honeyball decided not to contest the elections for “personal reasons” after serving 20 years in the European Parliament

Ms Honeyball, an MEP for London, said it would be “very disappointing” for a new MEP to have to leave after a few months.

But, she added, candidates had entered the election in full knowledge of the situation with Brexit.

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